Vail, Beaver Creek bid for race stages

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DENVER, Colorado - The bids poured into the USA Pro Challenge downtown Denver headquarters Friday as communities across Colorado bid for a coveted slot as host of next year's race.

At least 19 communities submitted bids to host the third annual weeklong race, including 10 of last year's 12 hosts.

The Vail Valley submitted two bids, hoping for a finish at Beaver Creek - like this year - and a time trial up Vail Pass, like 2011.

The Vail Valley Foundation's first hope is for the time trial.

"One of the most important aspects in hosting a race like this is the TV exposure. Essentially you are looking for that commercial about your host city and as long as your city is on camera the longer that commercial is," said Adam Lueck, manager of operations for the foundation. "In last year's time trial, Vail was on camera from the minute the race started to the minute it ended and that's a very important piece for us."